Her heart, which had been pit-patting happily under her neat grey housemaid’s uniform, lurched suddenly to the bottom of her buttoned boots. She knew what this meant, of course she did. They’d found out about that business with Lettie and the books. So what would happen now? They wouldn’t send you to prison for a thing like that, would they? Or would they? Even if not – think of the disgrace! Once Mrs Thatchell knew the police had been involved she’d very likely turn Effie out at once, and then whatever would become of her? It was no good hoping to go back to Aunty Madge; Uncle Joe had made his feelings clear on that. ‘Girl is old enough to make a living now. You done your family duty, Madge, giving her a ’ome when her poor Pa couldn’t cope, and now it’s time to think about yourself. Besides, we need the bed. Young Sammy’s getting that much bigger now, it’s time he had one to hisself.’ And Pa couldn’t have her – even now. He’d gone into lodgings after Mother died and he shared his bedroom with another miner as it was.
